Greater Winston-Salem Inc. and Visit Winston-Salem are combining to develop a “Strategic Action Plan” for the city over the next 12 to 16 months, saying it’s a “crucial time for our community.”
The groups hired the Kimley-Horn consulting firm to guide the process. Clarity of Place, the advisory services arm of tourism marketing firm Longwoods International, is also advising local officials.
“This plan gives us the chance to think boldly about Winston-Salem’s future and the ways we can elevate our community for the long term,” says Mike Lancaster, president of Blum Construction and chair of the Greater Winston-Salem Inc. board of directors. “By aligning resources and listening to the voices of our residents and businesses, we can create a roadmap that strengthens our economy, supports families, and ensures that Winston-Salem continues to thrive as a place people are proud to call home.”
The city has a goal to be the top mid-sized city in the Southeast, an equitable community and the best place to raise a family, said Mark Owens, CEO of Greater Winston-Salem Inc.
The plan’s goals will be to document community assets, identify missing pieces, and offer strategies to promote offerings that advance community goals.
Winston-Salem is North Carolina’s fifth-most populous city with about 255,000 residents. Once dominated by major employers including R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, Wachovia Bank, BB&T and the Hanes apparel business, its major employers now include Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health, Novant Health and Wake Forest University. Its largest public company, Hanesbrands, is being acquired by Montreal-based Gildan for $4.4 billion.
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